With a six-hundred-year tradition of debating about Buddhist scriptures, the Sera Monastery is one of the greatest dedications to Dge lugs pa, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Found in Lhasa, some people say, if you want to know what Tibetan temples look like, Sera Monastery is not to be missed.

Despite not being able to understand what they say, many tourists still visit here, just to feel the atmosphere. Catherine, from Ireland, is one of them. "It's very interesting to see how young people debate," she said.

As a traditional characteristic of Tibetan Buddhism, debating helps monks deepen their understanding about Dharma. They are separated into different groups with two or more members. Usually, the standing ones are raising questions, and those sitting down need to respond. The questions could be any issues about Buddha's Dharma.

They also use a variety of gestures.

"Raising their hands means thinking about Manjushri Bodhisattva's sword, which is used to cut off evil ideas. Putting hands down means thinking about suppressing their own evil ideas. Sometimes people are arrogant, assuming that they know everything, so they need to do this to get rid of these kinds of ideas," said Dawa, a monk in Sera Monastery.

The debating is closely associated with Sera Monastery's strict teaching system. It has a long history of dignitaries preaching and cultivating high-level monks. Since Tibet has resumed the examination of Rabjamba Geshe degree, the highest in Tibetan Buddhism in 2005, Sera Monastery has cultivated many receivers. The monastery's position in Tibetan sutra teaching is as Harvard is in the U.S. or Oxford in the UK. And debating serves as the most important criteria of the test.

The 23-year old Qiangba Chos-vphel is working towards the Rabjamba Geshe degree. Not only able to learn sutras, he also can choose Tibetan, English, Mandarin and History classes. Qiangba will stay away from his home village for six years. The studying here has provided him a fresh vision of his future.

"Studying here is very different from staying at home. At that time, I didn't think learning was useful. But now, I realize how important it is. So I'll seize the opportunity to study hard. It's my dream," said Qiangba.

Sera Monastery has been embracing more and more monks. By debating and studying, they are trying to get to the real meaning of the Buddha Dharma in order to realize their dreams.

(CNTV.cn December 10, 2012)